A Brief History of Netherland by The World Factbook

The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. In October 2010, the former Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and the three smallest islands - Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - became special municipalities in the Netherlands administrative structure. The larger islands of Sint Maarten and Curacao joined the Netherlands and Aruba as constituent countries forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Read More

A Brief History of Anguilla, Caribbean by The World Factbook

Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.. Read More.

Our History

The Saint James School of Medicine Anguilla campus welcomed its first students in January 2010, following ten years of successful education on the Bonaire campus.

In 1999, Saint James School of Medicine was approved by the Federal Government of the Netherlands Antilles, and the medical school became operational in 2001.

The project is a combined one, bringing together the island government of Bonaire and a consortium of highly experienced medical educators and physicians from universities and colleges in the United States and Europe.  The basic science and clinical rotation programs offered as part of our MD Program are fully compatible with US medical school programs, with special reference to the requirements of USMLE.

Our dream of establishing a high quality Caribbean medical school is flourishing. Saint James School of Medicine has grown tremendously since its inception and currently has over 250 students across two campuses, with more than 200 students carrying out clinical sciences in the United States.

Our Mission

The mission of Saint James School of Medicine is to help motivated students realize their dream of a medical career, irrespective of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. We use innovative teaching methods to shape the minds and spirits of our students and help transform them into compassionate healers of the human body and mind.

Saint James School of Medicine is an accredited Caribbean medical school providing an affordable medical education to students throughout the world. Offering both a pre-medical program and an MD program, the curriculum at Saint James prepares students for the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE). As the demand for qualified physicians escalates; medical schools limit the number of students and the cost of medical education increases Saint James School of Medicine fulfills a vital need in the community.

We are committed to training students to think, to solve problems, and to apply their knowledge to the care and well-being of their patients and society. It is our belief that a high quality medical education should be affordable and accessible to everyone.

Accreditation

Saint James School of Medicine is an accredited medical school in the Caribbean, recognized by a variety of agencies, organizations, and governments. As a result, students and graduates are eligible for residency training and licensure in the United States and Canada. The curriculum at Saint James has been designed to prepare students for the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE). By completing the MD program at the Saint James School of Medicine, students are eligible to become a doctor in the United States or Canada.

- Saint James School of Medicine is listed in the World Health Organization (WHO) World Directory of Medical Schools. This has been incorporated into the new Avicenna Directories, a global directory of education institutions for health professions.

- Saint James School of Medicine is listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).

- The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) has granted permission to students of Saint James School of Medicine to take the USMLE exam and apply for ECFMG certification, which is required for entry into a residency program in the United States.

- The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) has granted permission to students of Saint James School of Medicine to sit for all qualifying examinations required to obtain a license to practice medicine in Canada.

- The Department of Health Professions of the Israeli Ministry of Health has granted permission to students of Saint James School of Medicine to appear for all qualifying examinations required to obtain licensing to practice medicine in Israel.

- The Anguilla campus was granted a charter in 2008 and received provisional accreditation from the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Authority for Education in Medicine (CAAM-HP).

MD PROGRAMS

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is a 10-semester program. The scope of study consists of the Basic Sciences and the Clinical Sciences. The Basic Sciences are completed over four semesters (16 months) on the Bonaire campus.

The Clinical Sciences are completed over six semesters (96 weeks) at affiliated hospitals and clinical facilities in the United States.

Students are accepted into the MD program 3 times a year, in January, May and September.

Saint James only enrolls US citizens or permanent residents and Canadian citizens.

Basic Science MD Program

The first four semesters of the MD program are designed to build a strong foundation in medicine. The curriculum offers lectures and lab-based teaching at the Bonaire campus. All courses are designed in the USMLE format, and study is supplemented with hands on clinical training at the local hospital whenever possible. Small class sizes provide ample opportunity for students to interact with their professors on a personal level, in addition to the classroom setting.

Basic Science Curriculum

Semester 1: Histology (11 credits), Gross Anatomy(14 credits), Embryology (6 credits), Medical & Legal Ethics (4 credits)

Semester 2: Physiology (10 credits), Biochemistry (10 credits), Neurosciences (6 credits), Genetics (4 credits), RHM I (Research in Health and Medicine) (1 credit)

Semester 3: Pathology I (11 credits), Microbiology (10 credits), Pharmacology (10 credits), Medical Psychology (4 credits), Research in Health and Medicine II (1 credits)

Semester 4: Pathology II (11 credits), Epidemiology and Biostatistics (4 Credits), Physical Diagnosis & Clinical Medicine (10 credits), Research in Health and Medicine III

Clinical Science Program

The last six semesters of the MD program, the Clinical Sciences, are designed to prepare the student to function effectively in a clinical setting. Students participate in patient care while rotating through various medical specialties in the hospitals. Training includes physical examination, laboratory analysis, case presentations, clinical workshops and conferences. The student receives personalized guidance by the clinical faculty and develops the skills and knowledge essential to their residency years.

The 96 weeks of clinical training are divided into 48 weeks of core clerkships and 48 weeks of elective rotations.

Immediately following the Basic Sciences, the first 16 weeks of the Clinical Sciences course is offered as a block course called the Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine. It is offered in Chicago at an affiliated hospital and consists of eight weeks of intensive preparation and review for the USMLE Step 1, followed by eight weeks of introductory concepts in clinical medicine, including rotations through the various departments.

Clinical Science Curriculum

Core Rotations Duration
Medicine 12 weeks
Surgery 12 weeks
OB-GYN 6 weeks
Pediatrics 6 weeks
Psychiatry 6 weeks
Family Practice 6 weeks
TOTAL 48 weeks

Elective Rotations
Allergy and Immunology Neurology
Cardiology Occupational Medicine
Critical Care Medicine Oncology
Dermatology Ophthalmology
Emergency Medicine Orthopedics
Endocrinology Psychiatry
Family Practice Pulmonology
Gastroenterology Radiology
General Medicine Rehabilitation Medicine
Hematology Rheumatology
Infectious Diseases Surgical subspecialties
Nephrology Urology
Note: This is a partial list of possible elective rotations.
TOTAL 48 weeks

TUITION

Tuition fees at Saint James School of Medicine are some of the most affordable and competitive among Caribbean medical schools today. The majority of our affiliated hospitals also train students from medical schools in the US, and even from schools elsewhere in the Caribbean, where tuition costs double or triple that at St James.

This means that you get the same high quality of medical education without the financial burden of an enormous student loan debt. This enables our graduates to enter their residency and future careers truly focused on the practice of medicine, rather than the pursuit of money to pay off their student loans.

Other fees

Enrollment fee of $2,000*

*Non-Refundable dollars at the time of admission
*Enrollment fee includes $1000 Reservation and a $1000 Administrative Surcharge Fee.

Tuition: Other Expenses

Planning your non-tuition expenses during Medical school
Basic Sciences in Bonaire

** Books and stationary costs may vary each year.
*** The above rates are estimates.

All Tuition and Fees are subject to change without notice.
All students enrolled in the basic sciences program are responsible for their books, transportation, house rent and living expenses.

Transfer Students

Students transferring from another accredited institution may be eligible to receive credit for the classes they have already completed. In some cases, a student may finish the program ahead of the scheduled semester. If this occurs, the student is expected to pay the full tuition fee for the semester, if attendance was two weeks or more.

Tuition Payment and Refunds

The Following fees are non refundable:

• APPLICATION FEE
• Reservation fee
• Administrative surcharge

Refunds of tuition will be determined by the accounting department as follows.

First week of class - 80% refund
Second week of class - 60% refund
Third week of class - 40% refund
Beyond the 3rd week - No refund

Prices subject to change without notice

Late fees of up to $400 may be assessed for tuition that is not paid in full on or before the due date.

Students who default on payment may not register for classes. Official transcripts will not be issued until all dues have been paid in full.

Financial Assistance

All financial assistance programs have varying features and application procedures. To find out more about available financial assistance please contact our Financial Aid Office.

United States Residents
Assistance is now available to United States Residents, please click here for more information.

Canadian Students:

Student Credit Lines
Student credit lines are available for qualified students who are citizens and residents of Canada. Professional student credit lines offer up to CAN $150,000 and have easy application processes, deferred payments on the principle while in-school and attractive repayment options. School code assigned to Saint James School of Medicine in Canada is QUWH.

For details about any of the above programs, please contact our financial aid office.

Transfer Info

The Saint James School of Medicine's admissions committee, dependent on the following conditions, evaluates each transfer or advanced standing medical school application on an individual basis.

1. The applicant must be transferring from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools published by the World Health Organization.
2. Transfer credits are granted for successfully completed coursework only.
3. The applicant must be in good academic standing.
4. Transfer is subject to availability of space.
5. Transfer students must meet all documentation requirements of a new student.
6. Official transcripts from all schools attended must be provided.
7. Students wishing to transfer directly to the clinical rotation program will stand a better chance of acceptance if they have passed the USMLE Step 1.

Applicants who have undertaken prior studies in health sciences (osteopaths, podiatrists, dentists, physician assistants, nursing) are not eligible for advanced standing. Health professionals who wish to advance their skills and earn a medical degree are advised to enroll in the basic science program.

Futher Information

For detailed information, please contact us.